Preface.

This translation of the FIRST BOOK of the “Lemegeton” Also known as the Lesser Key of Solomon, a famous book of sorcery. which is now for the first time made accessible to students of TALISMANIC MAGIC was done, after careful comparison and editing, from numerous Ancient Manuscripts in Hebrew, Latin, and French, by the Greatly Honored Brother original: "Fra.", an abbreviation of Frater, the Latin word for Brother used in religious and occult orders. D.D.C.F. The initials of S.L. MacGregor Mathers, a founder of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn., by the order of the Secret Chief of the Rosicrucian Order.* The Greatly Honored Brother, having succumbed unhappily to the assaults of the Four Great Princes In this context, high-ranking demonic entities. (acting notably under Martial Relating to the planet Mars, associated with aggression and conflict. influences), it seemed appropriate that the work should be brought to its conclusion by another hand. The investigation of a competent Skryer A person who practices "scrying," using a crystal ball or other medium to receive visions. into the house of our unhappy Brother, confirmed this spiritual insight; neither our Brother nor his Hermetic Wife original: "Mul.", an abbreviation of Mulier, the Latin word for woman or wife. were seen there; but only the terrible shapes of the evil Adepts Highly skilled practitioners of magic. S.V.A.† and H., whose original bodies having

*Mr. A. E. Waite writes (“Real History Of The Rosicrucians,” p. 426): “I beg leave to warn my readers that all persons who proclaim themselves to be Rosicrucians are simply members of pseudo-fraternities, and that there is that difference between their assertion and the fact of the case in which the essence of a lie consists!” It is within the Editor’s personal knowledge that Mr. Waite was (and still is probably) a member of a society claiming to be the Rosicrucian fraternity. As Mr. Waite constantly hints in his writing that he is in touch with initiated centers, I think the logical conclusion, based on the premises given above, is fair, even if not strictly formal.—EDITOR.

**†**It was because our Brother accepted this S.V.A. as his Superior, and surrendered the Secret Mysteries original: "Arcana" of our Fraternity into such an unholy power, that We decided no longer to leave Our dignity and authority in the hands of one who could be so easily deceived. (For by a childish and easy magical trick did S.V.A. persuade D.D.C.F. of that lie.)